New Delhi: Sanjay Leela Bhansali seems to have mastered the art of making epic love sagas. Before his recent success of ‘Bajirao Mastani’, we saw him helm an Indian version of Romeo- Juliet in ‘Ram Leela’, only this desi version had more guns than Shakespeare could have imagined.
And now, SLB is again on his way to direct another epic love saga. Media reports have it that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is keen on making a movie on Alauddin Khilji, the second ruler of the Khilji dynasty and his obsessive love for the queen of Mewar, Padmavati. Unlike earlier, when his protagonists were heroes who fought for India, this one is anti-hero. Khilji was hell bent in capturing many parts of India.
The story of Khilji goes as this. A shrewd ruler, Alauddin had heard a lot about the beauty of Padmavati, wife to King of Mewar. He had expressed desire to see her in person but it was forbidden for a Hindu queen to show herself to another man. Knowing the cruelty of the second sultan of the Khilji dynasty and former ruler of the Delhi sultanate, Ratan Singh persuaded his wife to let Alauddin see her. Padmavati, though reluctant, allowed Khilji to see her through a reflection in mirror.
It is said that on seeing her, Khilj was so enticed by her beauty that he thought of securing her for himself and bringing her to his harem. It was then that Khilji declared a war on Mewar and Ratan Singh’s army, though outnumbered, decided on protecting the honour of their city till their last breath. Padmavati, who saw her city burn in front of her own eyes, lit up a huge pyre and committed jauhar, with other women from her city.
This story of Khilji’s love for Padmavati has SLB intrigued. Tentatively titled, ‘Padmavati’, the movie will release in December 2017. Said a spokesperson, ““It's a very interesting story and will release on December 15, 2017.”
Given the two consecutive hits which SLB has given with the real life couple of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, reports are rife that the two will be cast in this one too. This would mean that the trio will come together again for a magnum opus project. We could not be more excited.
